Oklahoma reports fatal Heartland virus case

Oklahoma health officials today reported the state's first Heartland virus infection, in a Delaware County resident who died from complications from the illness.

In a statement, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) said the patient is only the 10th person in the nation to contract the disease and the second to die from infection with the virus, which has been found in Lone Star ticks and is thought to be spread by tick bites.

The new virus, a member of the phlebovirus genus, was first detected in two Missouri men in 2009, and in 2013 researchers found the pathogen in Lone Star ticks near where the patients were infected.

The OSDH said illnesses have also been detected in Tennessee. Oklahoma's Delaware County is located in the northeastern part of the state, in an area that borders Missouri and Arkansas.

Caribbean chikungunya outbreak tops 66,000 cases

An outbreak of the painful chikungunya disease in the Caribbean has now reached 66,220 suspected or confirmed cases, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported late last week. That number is 2,731 higher than the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported on the same day, May 23.

Unlike with the ECDC's detailed report, PAHO reported case numbers for only the Dominican Republic and Haiti in its update. It reported 8,058 suspected cases in the Dominican Republic, compared with 8,017 in the ECDC update.

PAHO said Haiti now has 3,460 suspected cases, 2,225 of which are in Ouest department. The ECDC, which did not list suspected cases, said Haiti has 632 confirmed chikungunya cases.

Hepatitis B screening advised for those not vaccinated, certain others

Adults and adolescents who have not been vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (HBV) or have certain other risk factors should be screened for the infection, the US Preventive Service Task Force (PSTF) said in a final recommendation issued yesterday.

Most people born in the United States have been vaccinated against HBV, but up to 2.2 million are chronically infected, and 15% to 25% of them die of liver cirrhosis or liver cancer, the PSTF said in a press release about the recommendation.

The recommendation applies to unvaccinated, nonpregnant adolescents and adults who have no HBV symptoms. The task force previously recommended screening for all pregnant women. The new recommendation also is intended for people in several high-risk groups, even if vaccinated:

Those born in countries and regions in which HBV is common, such as Africa, Southeast Asia, Pacific islands, China, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and northern South America

US-born persons not vaccinated as infants whose parents were born in countries where HBV is common

HIV-positive people, injection drug users, men who have sex with men, and those living with or having sex with someone with HBV infection

Patients with weakened immune systems or on hemodialysis

From its review of the quality of evidence supporting screening and treatment for HBV, the task force issued its advisory as a "Grade B" recommendation.

In a fact sheet for consumers, the group said early detection can help prevent complications and reduce the spread of HBV and that treatment with antiviral medicines may reduce the risk of liver cancer. PSTF landing page for recommendationClinical summary of recommendation

WHA adopts measures on drug resistance, yellow fever vaccine

The 67th World Health Assembly (WHA) adjourned May 24 after adopting measures on drug resistance and yellow fever vaccination, among others, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a press release.

WHA delegates approved a resolution that urges WHO member states to strengthen drug management systems, to support research to extend the lifespan of existing drugs, and to encourage the development of new diagnostics and treatment options, the WHO said. The agency will develop a draft global action plan to combat antimicrobial resistance that it will present to the WHA for approval next year.

The WHA also adopted revised provisions on yellow fever vaccination or revaccination under the International Health Regulations that include extending the validity of a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. The revisions are based on recommendations of the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on immunization.

"This has been an intense Health Assembly, with a record-breaking number of agenda items, documents and resolutions, and nearly 3,500 registered delegates," said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, MD, MPH. "This is a reflection of the growing number [and] complexity of health issues, and your deep interest in addressing them."

The WHA approved more than 20 resolutions, the WHO said.May 24 WHO press release